Since 1985, the lawyers at Shapiro & Appleton have dedicated their practice to helping people when they need it most. Our clients are usually down and out after a serious accident, struggling financially, physically, and emotionally. We take pride in advocating for the downtrodden and injured and getting the financial restitution they are owed.

One of the most effective ways to choose a top-notch attorney is by reviewing their professional accolades and awards. Independent, third-party organizations bestow these recognitions and distinctions and symbolize a level of excellence in the profession.

We are very proud of the success we have had in obtaining large settlements, arbitration awards, judgments, and jury verdicts. Our success is based mainly on our experience in courtrooms across Virginia.

Featuring breaking news stories in Virginia, North Caroling and nationwide. Our news stories about accidents, events, injuries, and lawsuits are researched and published by our team of experienced personal injury attorneys and could help you learn more about your personal injury case.

One of the best ways to gauge the quality of a personal injury law firm is the feedback from prior clients. The reviews and testimonials on this page are authentic and unfiltered. We are proud to have served so many people who needed help during a difficult time.

By adapting and being familiar with not only Virginia and North Carolina Courts, but also Courts throughout the Eastern United States, our attorneys have developed a set of skills that can be incredibly useful in every sort of significant personal injury case.

The attorneys with our firm actively engage in continuing legal education seminars in the field of injury law. Our lawyers have also regularly delivered lectures to personal injury lawyers not only in Virginia but at national trial organizations.

To stay on the leading edge of personal injury law, all of the firm's attorneys are active in local, state, and national personal injury trial law organizations. We also retain the services of forensic animators, videographers, and computer specialists to produce compelling evidence that will persuade a jury to award maximum damages.

The questions on this page were answered by our team of Virginia Beach & Norfolk personal injury attorneys. The questions are categorized by practice area such as car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, etc. If you have specific questions about your situation, contact our firm to set up a free consultation with an actual attorney.

The most common include inadequate resident hygiene standards; inattention to injuries or illnesses; mismanaged medication; not giving appropriate clothing; not giving enough food and water; and prolonged isolation of residents.

All forms of elderly abuse are tragic, but sexual abuse of the elderly is far too common. According to an investigation conducted by CNN in 2017, there were more than 16,000 sexual abuse complaints filed on behalf of nursing home victims between 2013 and 2017. During that same time frame, more than 1,000 nursing homes were cited by the federal government for mishandling reports of sexual abuse or failing to prevent incidents. More than 100 facilities were cited multiple times.

As the baby boomer generation begins to reach retirement age, the number of seniors has significantly increased over the past few years. Unfortunately, this also means that the number of seniors who suffer abuse has also increased. According to statistics from the federal government, approximately five million elderly people are abused every year. It is estimated that at least 10 percent of seniors have experienced some type of abuse. Only one in every 14 cases is actually reported.

The most common forms are physical and sexual assault; bedsores; infection; overmedication; involuntary physical restraint; preventable injuries such as falls; dehydration and malnutrition; and failure to give proper medical care.

In Virginia, you would file a complaint with the Department of Health Professions. You can submit a complaint in writing and mail, fax, e-mail, or hand-deliver it. You can download the complaint form here. You can also call 1-800-533-1560 and phone in a complaint. Finally, you can make a complaint in person at a department location during business hours.

It’s understandable that you are worried the nursing home will find out you filed a complaint. The fear of retaliation against the family member who may already be receiving substandard care is enough to prevent some people from filing a complain all together. We must stress that if you think a nursing home isn’t taking care of its residents or is violating the law, you should file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously, though depending on the circumstances of the Department’s investigation, eventually your identity may have to be revealed.

While a complaint will alert authorities to the nursing home’s possible abuse, it will not provide compensation for your family member if he or she was already a victim of abuse. The Department can take regulatory and legal action against the nursing home – including shutting it down if violations warrant it – but the Department’s action is separate from a nursing home abuse lawsuit that would compensate your family member. If your family member has been the victim of neglect or abuse, contact our firm to talk to a lawyer who can help you evaluate your claim.

The determination of value in a nursing home lawsuit is difficult to determine and there is no single answer to that question. The factors which are considered include the following:

(i) The effects on the health of the resident in question;
(ii) The age of the resident;
(iii) The actual injury suffered by the resident; and
(iv) If death occurred, how long the resident was actually at the nursing home,
and the relative health at the time of admission.

An experienced nursing home attorney will be able to advise a resident or family as to the guidelines or ranges of value, which again will ultimately be resolved through settlement or jury verdict should the case proceed to trial.

There are several measures that can be employed if a family member or a friend believes such neglect is occurring in a nursing home.

Step 1 involves making a complaint to the regulatory board or agency in the state where the nursing home is located. Such a complaint can trigger a review by the state to determine minimum compliance with state promulgated regulations governing the care of residents in the nursing home.

Step 2, a civil lawsuit can be filed on behalf of the family or resident if neglect is suspected, which will then be adjudicated and resolved through the civil court system.

Finally, if the abuse is of such a severe nature that criminal negligence may be at issue, a criminal complaint can be brought through contact with the local district attorney’s office.

Yes. It is always a concern that staff and the administration of a nursing home may treat a resident suing a nursing home differently once suit is filed. It is always a good idea to seek a new nursing home if this is your situation. Most states have agencies that can assist in this new placement. In addition, qualified attorneys often are aware of the better facilities in their community.